Fake Bomb Detectors: Army chief allowed his inflated ego to get the better of him

**DrB0b** · 28-01-2010, 12:29 PM

Very strong words from The Nation.

For the authorities reputation is more important than lives - Nationmultimedia.com
EDITORIAL
For the authorities reputation is more important than lives
By The Nation
Published on January 27, 2010

The army chief trying to save face over faulty bomb scanners is typical of the ego-driven selfishness in our public servants

What's the difference between down-and-out singer turned wannabe-actor Nathan Oman and Army chief General Anupong Paochinda? Nothing much, if one is to look at how they handle personal and professional crises. When the heat is on, both men grab anything they can get their hands on and throw it back at the media, as if that is really going to help.
Apparently neither man has read American author Mark Twain, who famously said, "Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

Nathan has enjoyed a track record of telling tall tales from the very beginning of his career. He has told one lie after another, and eventually found himself in a hole too deep. Still, the young actor continues to tell lies with a straight face. In that respect, he should qualify as a national politician, something that Anupong aspires to be.

Anupong, meanwhile, lost his cool during an encounter with a group of journalists. It was a straight question about a recent announcement by the British government that bomb detectors purchased by the Thai government have been banned for export, amid new doubts over their effectiveness.

"Which company is paying you off?" Anupong sarcastically snapped at the reporter. The Army chief had just came out of a meeting about another major headache - rogue Army Maj General Khattiya Sawasasdipol, or Sae Daeng. But being in a bad mood should not be an excuse.

Given the level of corruption in the military, not to mention other government agencies, it might not be out of the question for reporters to shoot back with the same question. But apparently, the reporters didn't feel the need for a spitting contest.

The fact itself is humiliating enough for Anupong, and of course the Army, the police and other security agencies that have either purchased or plan to purchase these overpriced gadgets that are supposed to detect bombs safely and efficiently.

The Thai government has purchased more than 500 of the GT200 bomb detectors, mostly for the deep South, where the ongoing insurgency has claimed about 4,000 lives. There were plans to buy more, but that decision will now likely be frozen for the time being following the British ban. One detector costs Thai taxpayers between Bt900,000-Bt1.6 million, depending on the options. The British authorities have arrested the director of the company in question.

We are glad that the British government came clean. Perhaps it felt a moral obligation to the international community, especially allies who have purchased these UK-made detectors.

But the Thai security community should not feel bad. There are others in the same boat. The Iraqi government has spent US$85 million on the ADE-651, which is virtually identical to the GT200 detector.

Iraqi officials were furious over the news of the defective detectors. It showed they cared about their people. Unfortunately, our Army chief allowed his inflated ego to get the better of him. Perhaps he felt that his image and reputation were more important than the well-being of servicemen and women who continue to put their lives on the line in the deep South, where bomb attacks against them are a daily occurrence.

Anupong is not alone, however. Other well-known figures duped by this ineffective device include Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, director of the Justice Ministry's forensic institute, who also defended the procurement of the GT200 by saying it's "better than nothing".

It's a disgrace how authority figures continue to compromise the safety of government officials on the front line. Warnings about the effectiveness of this device had been brought up in the past. A probe into a car bomb at Sungai Kolok in October 2009 revealed that explosives hidden in the vehicle went through a checkpoint with a GT200 bomb detector. No one could explain how the militants were able to get through security blocks and drive into the heart of the border town, which has more security officials than other towns in the region. The bomb was packed in a canister for natural gas that weighed about 50 kilogrammes.

Still, the authorities always have their answers, no matter how absurd they may be.
For the authorities reputation is more important than lives - Nationmultimedia.com

**Happyman** · 28-01-2010, 12:44 PM

Very confusing !
The article concentrates on the GT200

Originally Posted by DrB0b

The British authorities have arrested the director of the company in question.

But the man arrested sold the ADE-651 - (different product but equally as useless) and the companies are 2 different manufacturers.

**Beadle** · 28-01-2010, 12:51 PM

A shoddy workman always blames his tools.

**DrB0b** · 28-01-2010, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Happyman

Very confusing !
The article concentrates on the GT200

Originally Posted by DrB0b

The British authorities have arrested the director of the company in question.

But the man arrested sold the ADE-651 - (different product but equally as useless) and the companies are 2 different manufacturers.

Yeah, most of the media seem confused about what's what and who's who. Fairly typical for most journalists, in my experience. But, as you say, in the end it doesn't really matter as they're all scams (something that was known to everybody except, apparently, those getting kickbacks

). What's really kicked this off as a serious issue is the UK export ban (which so far only applies to Iran and Iraq). The UK export ban is not only for the ADE-651, it's for all "electro-statically powered’ equipment for detecting “explosives”. That includes the GT200. Expect more arrests soon.

The Export Control (Amendment) Order 2010 No. 121 25th January 2010

**baldrick** · 28-01-2010, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by The Nation

Given the level of corruption in the military, not to mention other government agencies, it might not be out of the question for reporters to shoot back with the same question.

nice effort by the nation

**Beadle** · 28-01-2010, 01:10 PM

Here's a photo of the inventor of the bomb detector demonstrating the workings of the latest model of the Thai-purchased GT200.

**DrB0b** · 28-01-2010, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by baldrick

Originally Posted by The Nation

Given the level of corruption in the military, not to mention other government agencies, it might not be out of the question for reporters to shoot back with the same question.

nice effort by the nation

Yes, it is. Came as a bit of a surprise to me. Very reminiscent of the way it used to be. I wonder if it was written by Suthichai, I've got a fair amount of respect for him as an editorialist.

**crazy dog** · 28-01-2010, 01:23 PM

Saw a security guy using one at a recent concert just before the PM arrived, I told him they were no good, Mrs went mad-you CAN'T say that to him etc etc, why not I said it's true? Anyway I guess he knows by now

**Panda** · 28-01-2010, 02:31 PM

The trick is that they only work if your are wearing a special amulet. The special amulets are an optional extra priced at a very reasonable 200,000 baht.
The special amulets are impregnated with a secret substance that is know to increase the electromagnetic force fields around the body of the user thereby greatly increasing the efficiency of the bomb detectors while at the same time warding off evil spirits who could interfere with its workings.

For this month only, the special amulets are available at the special discount price of 500 baht. For sales enquiries contact Aupong Inc, trading as " Get More BANG for your Baht Ltd."

**Bangyai** · 28-01-2010, 02:52 PM

GT200
Straight from a user

By Charoon Thongnual
The Nation
Published on January 27, 2010

It was raining at Ban Khuandin in Pattani's Nong Chik district, but soldiers continued working at the Ban Nakate-Donyang Road checkpoint.

"I believe the GT200 bomb detector is 100-per-cent effective," said Police Sgt-Major Wachirasit Singkhrut, who was trained to use the equipment to screen humans, vehicles and suspicious objects. The 50-year-old policeman moved from his post in Nong Khai to become a soldier for the local military unit in the deep South.

Wachirasit said he had been using the GT200, along with its 18 software cards, since 2006 to detect suspicious objects such as weapons, explosives, dead bodies and drugs.

"For instance, sellers of cannabis usually put the drug in their mouths when passing the checkpoint. The GT200 can detect it even if they are speeding past the checkpoint," he said proudly.

In addition, he said, the bomb detector had helped him find explosives twice. One was a homemade bomb buried under a road in 2008, and the other was hidden inside a motorcycle in a market. This was apart from the many weapons he had found using the GT200.

He said that for the GT200 to work properly, the operators must be physically fit and trained in using it correctly.

"We have to talk to it. I often say 'don't lie to me' when I use it," he joked.

**Bangyai** · 28-01-2010, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by Bangyai

"For instance, sellers of cannabis usually put the drug in their mouths when passing the checkpoint. The GT200 can detect it even if they are speeding past the checkpoint," he said proudly.

Yea ??? .................................................. ...................... Nah .

**Mid** · 28-01-2010, 03:02 PM

Thai army fails bomb detector demonstration
28-01-2010

The military on Wednesday maintained its support for the so-called GT200 bomb detectors by conducting a demonstration in front of reporters instead of putting it through scientific tests as demanded by academics.

The bomb detector, which is widely used in the restive South, became the subject of controversy after the UK banned the export and use of a similar type of bomb detector going under the name of ADE 651 and arrested its manufacturer Jim McCormick.

Colonel Thaveesak Chantarasin, head of the Anothai Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, invited the media to witness the demonstration at a military camp in the western province of Ratchaburi.

The Thai Royal Army has been using the GT200 detectors since 2005 after it became impressed by its performance when it was used by the Thai Royal Airforce to search for explosives, he said.

The colonel explained that the Army had decided to purchase the GT200 units from the sole vendor who was selling the equipment at that time.

The Army now has more than 500 units of GT200 for use in the restive South, where violence erupted since the beginning of 2004. The equipment costs between Bt900,000 and Bt1.2 million per unit depending on its number and type of software.

Last year, the equipment successfully detected more than 23 bombs, saving many lives in the deep South, Thaveesak said, without saying how many times it was used.

However, the detector was reported to have failed twice in October, costing several lives in the Yala and Narathiwat provinces. But Thaveesak defended these failures, blaming it on human error instead of the equipment's ineffectiveness.

During the demonstration, the GT200 was able to detect a bomb hidden 700 meters away. However, this demonstration could not be considered a scientific test. All bomb detectors must undergo the double-blind test, something that has not been done on the GT200 so far. The Science and Technology Ministry and a Chulalongkorn University academic have said that they are willing to conduct such tests.

Yet no bomb detectors, claiming to be as good as a dowsing rod, have so far successfully passed the double-blind test. Several previous tests, including one conducted by the US Navy in 2005, found that the performance of bomb detectors, similar in technology to GT200, was any better than "random chance".

Meanwhile, academic Srisompob Jitpiromsri from the Deep South Watch said the demonstration was not the correct method for the Army to use to convince public about the bomb detector's effectiveness. The Army has to prove that the equipment is effective in a real situation.

Fourth Army Region Commander Lt-General Pichet Wisaichorn challenged the academics to join the military in detecting and defusing bombs in the deep South, instead of voicing their criticism in an air-conditioned room.

"Of course, it is not a 100-per-cent perfect, but it is the best we have in hand at present," he said.

asianewsnet.net

"Of course, it is not a 100-per-cent perfect, but it is the best we have in hand at present," he said.

but it ain't is it ? Other reports give dogs the edge .

**Mr R Sole** · 28-01-2010, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Iraqi officials were furious over the news of the defective detectors. It showed they cared about their people. Unfortunately, our Army chief allowed his inflated ego to get the better of him. Perhaps he felt that his image and reputation were more important than the well-being of servicemen and women who continue to put their lives on the line in the deep South, where bomb attacks against them are a daily occurrence.

What a surprise that the Thai general was less concerned than his Iraqi counterpart...Really I am surprised...

AS IF...

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Other well-known figures duped by this ineffective device include Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, director of the Justice Ministry's forensic institute, who also defended the procurement of the GT200 by saying it's "better than nothing".

Not the first time or the last that she'll be made to look a fool by the 'authorities' Being less intelligent and educated will always put her at a loss...

**Mid** · 28-01-2010, 03:56 PM

following is from the blogworld .........................

But even after broadcast of the BBC expose and criminal investigations by the governments of Britain and Iraq, Thailand's top political and military leaders deny there is any problem with these bomb detectors.

Prime Minister Abhisit: "sometimes if the user hasn’t had enough rest ... the detector’s effectiveness will be reduced." (Here's why that's nonsense)
Army Chief Anupong to BBC reporter : "(Are) the (device maker's competitors) using you to ask these questions?" (Here's why that's absurd)
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban: " "We use a different brand." (Here's why that's false.)

http://www.jotasean.com/2010/01/thailands-fraudulent-bomb-detectors.html

**DrB0b** · 28-01-2010, 04:01 PM

This is just getting sillier. Now they're saying "if you haven't got anything nice to say why don't you just come up with something better!" FFS, a trained hamster would be better than something that's just a piece of plastic, a rotating antenna, and an anti-shoplifting sticker. If these guys weren't running a country ther situation would be hilarious. They have no idea how much face they're losing in their struggle to maintain face. Fools!

"High-ranking officials would be better employed helping find alternative devices, rather than making unhelpful criticism because they are just being discouraging," he said.

and

Army counters GT200 criticism
Published: 28/01/2010 at 02:36 PM
Online news: Breakingnews

Army counters GT200 criticism

Any agencies with devices better than the GT200 bomb and drug detector can send them to the army for examination, 4th Army Region commander Pichet Wisaijorn said on Thursday.

The GT200 used by the army has come under scrutiny after the head of the UK company that sold the similar ADE 651 detector to many countries was arrested on fraud charges after tests found the device did not work.

Security officials in the violence-plagued South are using 535 GT200 devices, purchased at a cost of 900,000 baht each.

"I want people who criticised the GT200 to come and try working as soldiers in the far South. Today, the GT200 is considered the best device and boosts the soldiers' courage and confidence," Lt Gen Pichet said.

He said there had been flaws with the device in some cases, but they had been fixed. Supportive measures had also been implemented.

The detector would still be used in the restive southern provinces, because the soldiers there still needed it, he said.

To restore public confidence in the device, its functioning was now being tested before it was used in a live operation, he said.

"The soldiers are not disheartened by the criticism of the GT200's performance," the 4th Army Region chief said.

"High-ranking officials would be better employed helping find alternative devices, rather than making unhelpful criticism because they are just being discouraging," he said.

Army counters GT200 criticism

**Mid** · 28-01-2010, 04:11 PM

Any agencies with devices better than the GT200 bomb and drug detector can send them to the army for examination, 4th Army Region commander Pichet Wisaijorn said on Thursday.

woof , woof

900 ,000 x 535 = 48 , 150 , 000 !!!!!!

**Butterfly** · 28-01-2010, 04:57 PM

like little monkeys losing face, they will make funny noises !!!

**Panda** · 28-01-2010, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by DrB0b

FFS, a trained hamster would be better than something that's just a piece of plastic, a rotating antenna, and an anti-shoplifting sticker.

Actually, the same company that produces the GT200 is about to release an upgraded bomb detection device which consists of a genetically modified trained hamster with a computer chip inserted into its rectum and running on a plastic treadmill. If the treadmill goes anti-clock wise its all safe. But if it goes clockwise it means there is a bomb nearby. Tests have shown an accuracy in readings of up to 10 kilometers in low wind conditions. However there has been some failures due to user error related to which side of the hamster the operator might be standing on when the clockwise or anti clockwise reading is made. False negatives and positives have also rarely been reported when a left handed hamster slips through the rigorous training programme.

General Aupong, who is also the Thai distributor for the new improved devise says this new device should remove all confusion over the accuracy of the previous GT200 model. However the general did warn the public not to be fooled into purchasing cheap imitation hamsters currently on sale in Pat Pong night markets.

**Mid** · 29-01-2010, 03:40 PM

Army may delay purchase GT200 bomb detector

BANGKOK, Jan 28 (TNA) - Thai army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda on Thursday asserted that the British-made GT200 bomb detector used in the security forces operations in the three restive southern border provinces is effective, but the army may delay the new purchase of the controversial gear for reasons of transparency.

Gen Anupong commented following criticism by many parties on the effectiveness of the GT200 bomb detector after the British government banned exports of the ADE651 bomb detector to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The ADE651 bomb detector is manufactured by the British-based company Global Technical, and is similar to the GT200 bomb detector, widely used in security operations in Thailand's Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces in which insurgency attacks have killed more than 4,000 lives since violence erupted 2004.

The army chief said he has recently been told by the Fourth Army Area commander who oversees security in the far South that the device is effective. Without them, it would be more difficult for security forces to carry out their work.

Gen Anupong said no verification has been made regarding the percentage of the device's effectiveness, but he said that concerned agencies will look into it.

Regarding the planned purchase of another lot of the scanners, Gen Anupong said that the army may consider delaying the purchase for transparency, but must study the purchase process carefully to avoid facing possible legal action from the seller.

Meanwhile, Jessada Denduangboripant, lecturer at the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, told the House committee on National Security that the GT200 bomb detector is simply a bogus device, while questioning how the scanners are widely used in many agencies despite its unually high cost at about Bt1.4 million each.

The academic pointed out technical errors in detecting bomb of GT200 occurred more than twice as earlier reported.

There are many cases which the device failed to detect bombs and that caused huge loss of lives and property he said, adding that the scanner also gave wrong results in many drug-testing cases. This destroys the people's confidence on state agencies as legal action has been wrongly taken against many innocent people.

Mr Jessada added that he is surprised over the qualification of the GT200 bomb detector which claims it can detect many materials from bomb-making substances, drugs, chemical substances, uranium, gold, ivory, banknotes and even biologic substance such as corpse.

No scientist in this world can prove how the GT200 bomb scanner is able to effectively detect different kinds of materials, he said.

Following Mr Jessada's explanation, the House committee resolved to continue further probe on the case with the army and academics given that it is considered the matter of life and death of people in the restive region.

enews.mcot.net

**Mid** · 29-01-2010, 03:44 PM

Govt ready to clarify bomb detector scandal

BANGKOK, 29 January 2010 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban said the government was ready to clarify the criticisms over the ineffectiveness of bomb detectors GT 200.

The device has been heavily criticized for its inability to detect bombs, mostly used by army officers operating in the deep south. Other criticisms have been made about the price of the bomb detectors which have been bought three times the amount of the actual value.

The deputy prime minister however urged the public to understand the need for the bomb detectors GT 200 for officers operating in dangerous areas where a bomb detecting equipment is needed to ensure safety.

Mr Suthep said that the bomb detectors were bought in 2004 and they were tested for effectiveness. He said that he would not blame anyone on the purchasing but an anti-corruption inspection board would have to be established in order to investigate the device.

thainews.prd.go.th

**crippen** · 29-01-2010, 03:54 PM

Careful Lese Armee law to be brought in soon!

**DrB0b** · 29-01-2010, 04:25 PM

Bangkok Post 29/01/2010

**sabang** · 29-01-2010, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Which company is paying you off?"

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Any agencies with devices better than the GT200 bomb and drug detector

**baldrick** · 29-01-2010, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by DrB0b

a trained hamster would be better

depending of course where the bomb is hidden

Originally Posted by a numpty

The GT200 can detect it even if they are speeding past the checkpoint," he said proudly.

I wonder if it also works on a butterfly cruising past with a kilo of hash up his arse

**Mid** · 30-01-2010, 01:54 PM

Scepticism about the effectiveness of GT200 bomb detectors has left residents in the restive deep South on edge as an erratic reading could lead to their being arrested by authorities.

Nimu Makaje, Yala's advisory council for peace-building chairman, said villagers are worried they might end up being detained, interrogated or mistreated because of the device.

"What if they need to carry medicine with them? They are not afraid of being searched. They are afraid of being marked as insurgent suspects by the device.

"They would be detained, interrogated. That can lead to mistreatment and torture," he said.

GT200 doubts irk southerners

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